Small farmers, local food producers and rural communities will have an opportunity to help influence conversations about the future of Canadian agriculture through a new initiative led by the University of Guelph.
Called Powering Food Futures, the project is a collaboration between the Arrell Food Institute (AFI), the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and Loblaw Companies Limited. The initiative aims to explore how Canada can strengthen its position as a leader in climate-resilient food production while creating opportunities for innovation, economic growth and workforce development throughout the food system.
As part of the effort, organizers are encouraging farmers and others working across the agri-food sector to participate in a survey that will help identify priorities, challenges and emerging opportunities.
While national food production and global markets are part of the discussion, many of the issues being examined are highly relevant to small and medium-sized farms. Topics such as adapting to changing weather patterns, improving farm productivity, attracting skilled workers, and strengthening local food networks are challenges felt by producers in communities across Canada.
The initiative will focus on three major themes:
- Climate-resilient food production and Canada's role in feeding a growing population
- Innovation, technology and productivity in agriculture and food production
- Workforce development, skills training and economic opportunity
For smaller farms, these issues often intersect in unique ways. Extreme weather events can affect yields and profitability. New technologies can improve efficiency but may be difficult to access due to cost or scale. Labour shortages continue to affect many sectors, from vegetable production to livestock operations.
According to organizers, the goal is not simply to publish another report.
Instead, Powering Food Futures aims to bring together farmers, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and food system advocates to encourage dialogue and collaboration around the future of agriculture.
"This is an opportune time to think big and find the critical opportunities that will fuel Canada's future as an agri-food powerhouse," said Evan Fraser, Executive Director of AFI.
For family farms and smaller agricultural businesses, participating in the process provides an opportunity to ensure that their voices are heard alongside larger industry players. Their experiences managing risk, diversifying production, serving local markets and adapting to changing consumer expectations can offer valuable insights into building a more resilient food system.
The organizers say the initiative will draw on expertise from across the sector to identify practical opportunities that can benefit communities throughout Canada.
The findings will contribute to a flagship report examining the future of Canada's food system, but organizers hope the project will also help spark broader conversations around policy development, collaboration and long-term planning.
As climate change, labour challenges and economic uncertainty continue to affect agriculture, initiatives like Powering Food Futures may help identify solutions that support both large-scale production and the thousands of small farms that contribute to Canada's food security and rural economy.
Farmers, food entrepreneurs and others involved in the agri-food sector can participate in the survey and share their perspectives on how Canada can build a stronger and more resilient food future.